Fahlnem was sobbing in the bathtub. It had been a while since he had tasted genuine, quality Elven wine. The expensive shit, too. The stuff he used to make. He didn't have any on his first day staying in Ianann, but he couldn't resist any longer. Forgo had come in earlier to let him know to stay comfortable and not try to escape, as it may be a few more days before the Crown could see him. He had made up his mind on enjoying the peace. For the time being, he trusted Forgo to keep his word; nobody hunting him, nobody bothering him. He just couldn't use magic. That suited Fahlnem just fine, because it gave him hours upon hours of calm meditation, but he didn't just contemplate magical topics. Knowing that he couldn't test any of the multitudes of spell ideas he came up with for the time being, he also considered how he should act before the Crown. Not now, though. Now, he was sipping at his second bottle of wine for the day and uttering nonsense, weaving between his chosen fluent languages. Dwarvish, Elven, Common, and Demon, just to name a few. He drunkenly decided that the best way to use his spare time in the bath was to act out his final moments with lost loved ones. Some of his goodbyes had been more sweet than bitter, but most were either too abrupt to quantify as a true goodbye or just forced out of necessity. He abandoned most of his lovers in his pursuit of power; any of them that lasted more than a month were bound to tie him down, and he always considered that unacceptable. In his youth, he assumed he would have sufficient time for happiness once he became all-powerful like he wanted. Recollecting this naivete made him furious. He never considered the possibility that, while he could find new sources of happiness in the future, they still couldn't replace the ones he lost. With a desperate and unusual yell, he threw the barely-touched bottle of wine at the wall. Thankfully, he was neither strong enough nor far enough from the wall to smash it. There was still wine spilling out onto the rug, though.
He decided that he would take a nap.
----------------------------------------
"Show me what you've done so far. Improvements." Sinace demanded. Fahlnem shrugged, leading her upstairs and leaving Kali to watch the bar. Kali leaned absent-mindedly on the bar, cupping her chin with the palm of her hand, which was braced by her elbow on the counter.
"For the most part, I've just done cosmetic updating and additions. Didn't wanna take anything out, really." Fahlnem gestured to the rejuvenated art style portrayed by the paintings on the wall or a new couch in front of the library's fireplace. "And you've already seen the bathhouse."
"Mh. Yes, the bathhouse was a tasteful change. Well done." Gee, thanks. I was really hoping for your approval on that one.
Fahlnem led her to the outside door adjacent the stairwell to the attic area. He brought her outside, gesturing to the new seating. The area had an overview of the reservoir below, as well as the outer-city farms beyond the walls barring in the reservoir. A stream gently made its way down a rocky hill surrounding the other portion of the outside seating area, pooling into a small pond filled with a separated ecosystem of fish. Fahlnem fancied himself an efficient designer. Sinace nodded in approval of the area, walking Fahlnem to a door at the end of the hallway opposite the door leading outside. She pointed at the abandoned office. "I will take that room as my own." Fahlnem shrugged agreeingly.
"I never even cleaned it out, so it's all yours." It didn't take much to convince him on that one. The hallway led across a short bridge spanning between the library-side of the building which they were standing in, and the bar portion. He wasn't sure why only this portion of the building was separated, as it only left about an eight-foot wide walking space overgrown with bushes and shrubs. It was like a short, narrow back-alley for stabbings. At any rate, the two stepped onto the walkway and Fahlnem pointed down to the tiny garden patch. "The bar's just on the other side of that wall. I had made plans to pay the city's construction crew to expand the bar in our direction and excavate the unused foundational space below the library as an expanded kitchen and bartender space." Sinace gave him a look. "For the other employees to hang out in, Sinace. Plus," He pointed around the corner of the building to the reservoir. "We can build a tiny landing onto the reservoir for people to look at. It's wasted surface area on the outside of the building."
Sinace waved a hand. "Very well. Get back to work, then. I shall start on my office area."
Bitch.
----------------------------------------
Forgo had gently ordered Fahlnem not to repeat his drunken outrage from before. He was thankful that the Pyromancer didn't break anything or set fire to the building, but said that it still had to be included in his report of Fahlnem's daily activities and reflected poorly on his recommendation to spare his life.
"What prompted you to try to protect me?" Fahlnem took a bite out of an apple, now dressed in fine Elven clothes- all purple, of course, to hide his multitudes of sins yet to be forgiven by the Magister- and perfectly clean. His hair, now silky and vibrant, draped down to his shoulders without a single tangled hair or clump of dirt.
"You made no significant attempts to try to escape, and you've been on fairly good behavior while kept in this apartment complex. No magic, right?"
Fahlnem gave Forgo a smirk, a wink, and thumbs-up. "No magic!" He exclaimed proudly between chewing.
Forgo clapped him on the shoulder. Despite them both being Elves, the Pale Spear towered over Fahlnem in both general height and stature. He didn't have much to compare him to yet, but he wondered if the Elves here had some Human ancestry to broaden their shoulders and bolster their frame. Maybe they're just like that, here. Never known realms to have much variations in their races, though. Or languages. Peculiar.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Ready to see the Crown today?"
"Yep. Got my speech readied and everything. 'Your Majesties, thank you oh-so-much for letting me live this long under your delicate care. Your wine was delicious. Now please return me to my realm, let me fuck off in peace in your realm, or promptly execute me and end the misery. Thank you.'" Fahlnem twirled in circles during the tirade, ending it with a huff and an inelegant launch onto the sofa.
Forgo wasn't visibly pleased, but Fahlnem knew he thought it was funny. "Let me do the talking. I don't trust you not to screw this up."
Fahlnem shrugged while laying down, finishing up his apple and tossing it to Forgo. "Whatever you say, big man. I'll do anything to get out of this place. The city's too quiet and there's nothing to read." He threw a rolled-up brochure detailing the Magister's grace at the wall.
Forgo chuckled. "If things go well with the Crown, you'll have plenty to read soon. I don't think they can send you back to your realm, but I think-"
Fahlnem sat up, glaring at Forgo. "Something brought me here, Forgo. I've done a decent bit of realm-hopping in my youth, and none of it was accidental. Violent, yes. But never sudden, like this time. Someone brought me here. Your Crown brought me here."
Forgo walked over to the door, smiling at Fahlnem with a shrug and stepping through. "I'll be back to fetch you in an hour or two."
Fahlnem peacefully awoke from his nap. He dreamt of being swept away from this bittersweet Elven capitol by a band of his old friends. To his knowledge, the majority were either dead or wanted nothing to do with him. He wouldn't be getting rescued. Not like I need it. I can powerhouse my way out of this joint whenever I want. As a matter of fact, I think I will. I'm gonna see the Crown, tell 'em what the fuck is up, and blow my way outta here. It's settled.
Fahlnem, with a malicious grin, walked with Forgo to the court. The keep was massively impressive; endless halls of marble spires, reaching up to the ceiling. Genius placement of vines and other greenery in the main hall, accompanied by what Fahlnem assumed were the royal ass-kissers of the Magisterium; gatherings of posh Elves, all gossiping on one topic; the warlock entering the room. Fahlnem gave each group a wide, kind grin and a middle finger. Forgo hurried him along the best he could.
At the end of the main hall was a massive, ornate door. An expensive, mauve-colored rug spread horizontally across the doorway. Forgo said it was to clean the sin off of sinners' feet as they entered the court. Two Pale Spears opened the oversized door for Fahlnem and his captor to pass into the court. Fahlnem smiled at the Spears.
"This guy's better than you two." He thumbed at Forgo. "His name's Forgo. Captured the first warlock in, what was it? Like four centuries? You two are lame compared to him. You're both weak-ass pussies to his chocolate starfish. You-" Forgo tugged Fahlnem along, out of earshot. He knew that he was containing a laugh from within his helm.
"You said that the number one Spear was assigned to the Crown. What's with those doorstops?"
"They're new. Probably taking up the seventeenth and eighteenth Spear positions." Forgo quickly answered the question and gestured to the throne at the end of the massive court. Fahlnem directed his attention to the two pristine figures sharing the throne. The Violet Crown. Identical Elven twins with ghostly-pale skin. Fahlnem couldn't tell what sex either of them identified as. Their milky-white hair flowed almost down to the marbled floor, draping over their shoulders.
"Uh... wow." Fahlnem remarked to Forgo. "...Forgo, look!" He exclaimed in a hush tone, pointing at a towering Spear clothed in pale armor. He, like the two Crowns, reflected almost every iota of light that shined in his direction. Not a single touch of purple. The only off-white color adorning his menacing stature came in the shape of chrome chains wrapped around each forearm. His right forearm had stopwatches spread across every couple of links. Only one stopwatch hung from his left arm, dangling just below his wrist. He played with the watch absentmindedly, spinning it around his gauntleted fingers by the chain. The gentle clinking of the chains pierced through the uncomfortable silence of the hall.
"The Cockfather." Fahlnem mumbled in awe, only loud enough for Forgo to hear. The Pyromancer grinned, listening to Forgo's muffled giggles that he could no longer contain. Nobody else seemed to notice.
After an excruciating minute of walking toward the Crown, the Clockfather abruptly stopped playing with the stopwatch and took a few paces forward, holding up his left hand at Forgo and Fahlnem, indicating them to stop. The Crown with the braided hair waved away their attendant.
One of the two Crowns spoke with a booming, intimidating purpose. Their voice echoed off the marbled walls, piercing Fahlnem's ears and forcing him to flinch.
"Fahlnem Elenvaul. Are you honored to be the first warlock to stand before us in centuries?" They spoke.
Fahlnem remarked sourly. "I suppose so. You saw fit to bring me here, so there must be a pretty good reason."
The other Crown spoke with a similar voice, but in a slightly higher pitch. "You trespass in the Magisterium. We, nor our teacher the Magister, called you here."
The first Crown spoke again. "We see this as a divine opportunity, however. The Magister spoke to us when you arrived in our realm. He has purpose for you."
They swapped.
"You will have purpose, Fahlnem Elenvaul. Even as a heathen; as a warlock." They changed subject, all of a sudden.
"Your robes fit you well, yes?"
"Uh... yeah." Creeped out right now. "Been a while since I've worn traditional Elven attire, you know?"
The Crowns nodded in unison with approval. "And your escort? The Forgotten of Vows?"
Fahlnem glanced up at Forgo, unsure as to what he wanted him to say. Forgo didn't tear his eyes away from the Crowns. "He's been good to me. He outwitted me twice; it won't happen again, but he's a good man. Not so sure about the rest of you, though."
The Crowns nodded again. "Good. That is good. You are Elf, like us. You do not need to be treated so roughly." One of the Crowns gestured for Forgo to remove Fahlnem's cuffs, to the Pyromancer's surprise.
Fahlnem glanced back up at the Crowns, alternating eye contact with the two of them. "Why are you two so infatuated with me? What do you want?"
"We cannot predict you, Fahlnem Elenvaul." The other Crown elaborated.
"The Magister gives us the unique, divine ability to foresee the future. Your position in it is undetermined." The first Crown continued.
"We have yet to locate your position in the Magisterium's future. Even when we foresaw this moment, you were not present. We are unsure as to why that is."
"We are unsure as to how we will deal with you. Your existence threatens the Magisterium we protect."
"The Magister spoke with us, however, in private. He advised us against your execution."
"He told us your purpose, that which we could not predict."
Fahlnem wasn't shocked, but he could tell Forgo was, even through the armor. What happened to not being afraid of me, Forgo? "...So? What'll it be?"
The Crowns focused on the Clockfather unanimously. "Our prize, our Alabaster; he will beat the sin out of you."